Peter Lawrence, head coach of the University of Hartford men’s lacrosse team, is pleased to announce the 2014 men’s lacrosse team captains. With opening day set for Saturday, February 15, a quartet of seniors will lead the Hawks in their quest for their second-ever America East Championship crown as Justin Bentivegna, Andrew Cacchio (Holy Ghost Prep), Tate Klidonas (Emmaus) and Frank Piechota were tabbed captains by their teammates.

In three seasons with the Scarlet and White, the 2014 captains have helped lead Hartford to 23 wins as well as three-consecutive America East Championship appearances. The foursome has also played an integral role in piloting the program to its first-ever tournament crown, a feat that was accomplished during their freshman seasons back in 2011. In addition, they have had success off the field, leading the team to four-straight Community Service Awards while helping the University of Hartford earn back-to-back America East Academic Cups for the first time in the history of the league award.

Hartford’s second active leading goal-scorer, Cacchio enjoyed a breakout season last year as a junior, more than quadrupling his offensive output from his freshman and sophomore seasons combined. An America East All-Academic Team selection in 2013 who has earned Academic Honor Roll accolades three times, Cacchio finished second on the team in goals (24) and added a pair of assists for 26 points last season. The 6-0 attacker from Richboro, Pa., has accumulated 30 career points, scoring 28 times and assisting on two goals.

The Hawks’ glue guy, Klidonas has made an instant impact since his arrival for the 2011 season. Playing in every game since stepping foot on campus, he enters his final season with the Hawks with 37 career points on 22 goals and 15 assists. A short-stick, 5-10 midfielder from Emmaus, Pa., he gets it done on both ends of the field as he finished second in both caused turnovers (12) and ground balls (48) last season. Klidonas earned a spot on the America East All-Academic Team last year and is a three-time America East All-Conference honoree, earning First-Team billing in 2013.

A 6-3 midfielder out of Wantagh, N.Y., Bentivegna has played in 15 career games, scoring his first career point on a goal at Brown during his sophomore season. Off the field, he is a member of Hartford’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and is also dedicated to giving back to the community as an individual and with his team. Chosen to attend the NCAA’s Career in Sports Forum last summer, Bentivegna has landed a spot on the America East Commissioner’s Honor Roll on three occasions for achieving a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Rounding out the captains is Piechota, a 6-1 goalie from Trumbull, Conn. Ranked seventh in Hartford’s record books for career wins with 12, he is on pace to finish his stint with one of the top career goals-against averages and save percentages in program history. Already ranking eighth in the books with 261 total saves, Piechota enjoyed a breakout year in 2013, posting double digit saves on 10 occasions while ranking second among America East netminders in save percentage (.508) and saves per game (11.36). He was also named to the America East All-Conference First Team last season.

Lawrence is President of NXTsports’ Trashcan Lacrosse and Cradle Lacrosse.